Summary: This presentation will include the following substantive employment law topics:

The recent regulatory changes to the white collar exemptions of the Fair Labor StandardsAct. These changes concern the increase of the minimum salary needed to qualify for the exemption. The focus will be on the changes, how and when they should be implemented, and how they will impact businesses.

An update of recent U.S. Supreme Court, 10th Circuit, and Kansas cases on employment law issues that impact HR professionals in Kansas.

A discussion of common pitfalls for Human Resources that I observe as an employment law attorney, and advice on ways to avoid those mistakes.

Biography: Diane H. Sorensen has been practicing in the area of employment law at Morris, Laing for over 25 years. A 1984 graduate of the University of Kansas law school, she completed two judicial clerkships (one for the Kansas Supreme Court, and the other for the United States District Court for the District of Kansas) prior to joining the firm in 1988. Diane’s practice includes litigation of employment matters for both plaintiffs and defendants (from non-compete agreement enforcement to discrimination claims), advising of employer clients on all aspects of employment law, handling of administrative complaints, drafting of employment contracts, conducting on-site investigations, and training supervisory employees. Diane is a frequent speaker at employment law seminars, and has published numerous articles on employment law topics. Diane is also involved in alternative dispute resolution. She is an approved federal mediator and mediates employment law cases, and she recently has been certified as an arbitrator by the American Arbitration Association. Diane has spoken on all of these topics at Client seminars, and for continuing legal education for other lawyers.